The minimae are too small to be useful hosts for the phorid fly, and so are able to fearlessly attack the flies as they approach, keeping the foragers safe. More info. Adults feed on honeydew, nectar, dead insects, carrion, host hemolymph; a few prey on insects. The phorid fly's egg-to-adult lifecycle can be as short as 14 days, but may take up to 37 days. Dead Local Insects, Cheap Bug Collections and Other Dried Arthropods. Morrison, L. W., E. A. Kawazoe, R. Guerra and L. E. Gilbert. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office. Phora acerosa Goto, 2006 c g; Phora acuminata Goto, 2006 c g; Phora adducta Schmitz, 1955 c g; Phora advena Mikhailovskaya, 1986 c g; Phora aerea Schmitz, 1930 i c g; Phora algira Macquart, 1843 c g; Phora americana Schmitz and Wirth, 1954 i c g; Phora amplifrons Goto, 1985 c g; Phora anceps (Zetterstedt, 1848) c g; Phora archepyga Mostovski & Disney, 2001 c g; Phora artifrons Schmitz, 1920 … Phoridae are a large group of thousands of species of small flies. Both fruit flies and phorid flies are around 1/8th of an inch long once mature. If things become worse, contact Abell Pest Control. Phorid flies can often be identified by their escape habit of running rapidly across a surface rather than taking to the wing. Leafcutter ants are a common sight in the Brazilian cerrado. Thank you so much, Michael. There are plenty of images of larvae on BugGuide. I'm on a mission to find the source now. This behaviour is a source of one of their alternate names, scuttle fly. The fly Megaselia scalaris is a member of the order Diptera and the family Phoridae.The family members are commonly known as the "humpbacked fly", the "coffin fly", and the "scuttle fly". PSU mushroom fly fact sheet. Many species of phorid flies are specialist parasitoids of ants, but several species in the tropics are parasitoids of stingless bees. And not to lose an opportunity for increased efficiency, the little passenger will also begin cleaning the leaf fragment as the larger worker carries it home. Order Diptera Linnaeus, 1758. Some Terms: Culture or Culture Cup - This is the clear plastic, usually 32oz cup with a vented (holes covered by fabric screening) that contains the insects - Fruit Flies, bean beetles ect. Phorid flies tend to fly and walk in an erratic pattern, rather than in a predictable straight line. The flies have the advantage of the air, and they're quite nimble fliers. They tend to land and then dart around really fast. Family Phoridae. Soldier/Moderator Ant. Phorid Fly Larvae. 1999a. More info. Phorid fly adults (Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org) Phorid fly adult (USDA ARS, Wikimedia Commons) Adult phorid fly (Charles Lewallen, Wikimedia Commons) Identification. The name "scuttle fly" derives from the jerky, short bursts of running, characteristic to the adult fly. They have an ovular body with 6 legs and a pair of antennae. Phorid flies are small flies, tan to dark brown in color, up to 1/8 of an inch in length with a distinguished humpbacked appearance. They are commonly called ant-decapitating flies for the fact that the infested ant’s head falls off during the final stages of the fly’s development. Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. How do I remove a phorid fly infestation? Other common names for flies in this family include: humpbacked, coffin, and scuttle flies. The most common characteristic of this fly is behavioral. Dixville, Coos County, New Hampshire, USA. Oecologia 121: 113-122. P. exigua continuously seek refuge from phorid fly attacks and thus often flee infested nests to build new ones. Larvae emerge within 24 hours and feed for 8 to 16 days before crawling to a dry area to pupate. Tiny black, brown, or yellowish flies with a humped back, a low small head, and dark eyes; costal vein extends only about halfway along anterior wing margin; two strong longitudinal veins anteriorly (in costal area), and 4-5 weak veins posteriorly, not connected by cross-veins; hind femora enlarged and flattened, and hind legs long; antennae appear 1-segmented, The way of life of most species is unknown. Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information. Here’s a quick size comparison: I’m not liking these odds . You need to look for their breeding space and remove it or change how you manage it. So there you have it. Apocephalus borealis is a species of North American parasitoid phorid fly that attacks bumblebees, honey bees, and paper wasps.This parasitoid's genus Apocephalus is best known for the "decapitating flies" that attack a variety of ant species, though A. borealis attacks and alters the behavior of bees and wasps. Phorid fly swoops down from the sky, slice goes the head, you’re off to the great anthill in the sky before your tiny invertebrate brain has the chance to realise anything’s wrong. The fly Megaselia scalaris (laboratory fly) is a member of the order Diptera and the family Phoridae, and it is widely distributed in warm regions of the world.The family members are commonly known as the "humpbacked fly", the "coffin fly", and the "scuttle fly". Clickable Guide. Does anyone have an explanation for the zombie ant!?! When disturbed, rather than flying, the phorid fly will scurry across a surface to escape danger. 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